Gurudongmar Lake – One of the Highest Lakes of the world

September 2, 2018

The turquoise blue water was glistening and changing its color every minute in the sun. There was pin drop silence except the breeze and fluttering of Prayer flags. Clouds were getting dramatic – One moment they were making formations in patches, whereas other moment they engulfed the snow covered peak. We were totally in awe of the beauty of Gurudongmar Lake in North Sikkim or actually hypnotized by the magical power of it.

Trip to Gurudongmar Lake from Lachen

It was August and monsoon season was at its peak. The chilliness in weather had increased. We reached Lachen in the evening, around 5:30 pm from Gangtok after 6 – 7 hours’ drive (107 km). Locals were dressed up in sweaters and jackets and in no time we joined their fleet. It was still drizzling in the evening but we wanted to see Lachen, so went for a quick walk.

Evening View of Lachen Village

As we turned back it was already 7:00 pm, our driver asked us to have dinner by 8:00 pm and go off to sleep. He also reminded us to put an alarm for 4:00 am. Yes! 4 in the morning as we had to leave at 5:am, to explore the magical Gurudongmar Lake.

At 4:00 am, alarm rang. I snoozed it and dozed back in the quilt. It again chimed after 10 minutes and I chimed out at Tashi! Get up boy, we have to leave in 45 minutes. Quickly he got up and we dressed up in layers knowing that we will be gaining height from 9,000 to 17,800 feet.

Early morning at Lachen Village

We stepped out at sharp 5:00 am and there was a good daylight along with clouds. We were super excited to see the beauty which we had seen till day in the pictures only but at the same time there was fear of landslides ahead. Our driver too had a similar fear because of the heavy rains. With the fingers crossed and positivity we all left to take the journey ahead.

Roads to Gurudongmar Lake from Lachen

After Lachen, the pretty narrow roads had started losing all the gravel. There was continuous ascent descent but the gushing Lachen River was flowing alongside to give us company. From curvaceous, the roads turned to super curvaceous. And sitting alone at the back seat, I was tossing up on all sides. But I was enjoying that too, as I had both the windows to look at the views and click pictures.

Near Thangu

As we started gaining altitude, rain started pouring again and at other places mist had taken over. There was green all around. Everything looked pure, fresh and clean and waterfalls were accompanying is throughout the way. Yes! There were ‘N’ of them and each of them was gorgeous. Some of them were even flowing directly on the road.

Homestay at Yathang Valley

We had to reach the Thangu check post by 7:30 am but before that we made a quick stop at a homestay run by Pema in Yathang Valley (4000 meter) for breakfast. She made us enjoy the delicious bread Omellete, maggi and coffee with a view.

We were at Giagong i.e. at 15,000th feet the last check post and stop with some settlement, café and public convenience. After permit entry, we had momos and tea with some army Jawans at Dare Devil Café and left further.

From here landscape had changed altogether. They looked similar to the ones from Spiti Valley and Ladakh but there was an absolute feel of Sikkim too.

Metaled road before Gurudongmar Lake

9 kilometers before our destination the road turned smoother and well-constructed. All we could see now was miles of straight graveled road, snow and cloud covered peak in between the brown mountains and the floating clouds in deep blue sky. This is something beyond our imagination and what we can say is the true shades of NATURE. I guess, we were destined to see this!

Driver kept telling us how the army take care of these roads and maintain them but we were lost in our own world and couldn’t stop taking pictures. Suddenly, a board showing 17,800 feet came up.

Ascending on Hillock to reach Gurudongmar Lake

From there, he took off road and started ascending on a hillock. 5 more minutes of drive and we will be at our destination. It seemed my heart beat has increased and yes it had.

At Gurudongmar Lake

We had reached our destination at 9:30 am and without a thought, I got out of the car. I stood there silently and said to myself is this for real. Magical! Ethereal! Serene! Dope! Heavenly –what it is. These words were juggling inside me. This is so different than other high altitude lakes (Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar, Chandratal and Surajtal), we have seen till day.

Magical Gurudongmar Lake

The turquoise blue lake was glistening in the sun. No one was around it despite the properly built pathway. I jumped to go downstairs. Our Driver and Tashi came running behind me to stop, but they couldn’t and seeing me overwhelmed Tashi joined me.

Look at it! Isn’t this magical? Literally, I have no words to describe our feelings. People suffer from breathlessness and get hit by AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) at 17,800 feet. But we don’t know what magic happened to us. We got recharged at its first sight. Indeed, it hypnotized us.

On one side of it there were rows of fluttering prayer flags whereas on the other end there was a small wooden bridge to go on the other side of Gurudongmar lake. We crossed the bridge to go around and the Lake changed its color and shape.

We continued walking for 2 kilometers around the Lakes periphery and still there was more. The total peripheral length of Gurudongmar lake is 5.3 Kilometers. Locals attempt for the complete circumvallation because of the sacred believes and it takes them around 4-5 hours. Imagine walking that long in bare minimum oxygen zone. We too wanted to see it from all sides but our driver stopped us from attempting the same.

Gurudongmar Glacier

It was already 11:30 am and the wind and water speed has increased. We had to turn back but we were not ready. While climbing each step, we were still looking back at it.

On the top, at the plinth is a Sarva Dharma Sthal; the place of worship for all religions and there are interesting legends linked to it.

History of Gurudongmar Lake

Gurudongmar Lake, is considered to be the scared lake by Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhist and it remains frozen from November till May.

One of the legendary stories is that in 8th century, the Guru Rimpoche or Padmasambhava visited the place, before heading to Tibet. That time the people of Gurudongmar village appealed to him, to make the lake a source of drinking water. He touched the lake and made a part of it snow free. Whereas others say, in 15th century Guru Nanak Dev Ji, passed through the Lake while his return from Tibet and then the people of Gurudongmar village appealed to him. He touched the part of Lake with his stick and made it snow free.

Since, then the Lake is considered as scared and devotes carry the water of Lake.

Route for Gurudongmar Lake from Lachen

Gurudongmar lies 67 kilometers from Lachen and can be reached in 4 hours via car. The nearest airport is at Siliguri.

Condition of Roads: Mud and stony roads (or no roads) except the last 9 kilometers. There is a continuous ascent and descent

Preferable Vehicle: Scorpio or Bolero. Complete No for Sedans and small vehicles.

Best Time to visit Gurudongmar Lake

The Lake remains frozen from November till May.

Season: April to June and November to February. In April – May, rhododendrons are in full bloom whereas from November to February the lake is frozen and surrounded by white peaks. October too is considered as an ideal month, as the sky will be clear and there will be no snowfall.

Offseason- July – September. There are high chances of landslides due to rain but then the whole lake will be yours.

Permits for Gurudongmar Lake

One needs restricted and protected area permit from Sikkim Tourism Department to visit Gurudongmar Lake and these can be organized only by the tour operators. The local Sikkim numbered personal cars are allowed with special permits whereas there is no entry for Self drive vehicles like Zoomcar. You need to summit one Identity proof and 2 photographs for the permit.

Note: Foreigners can only visit the Gurudongmar Lake with the special permits from Ministry of Home Affairs in Delhi, otherwise they can only visit the scenic Chopta Valley which lies on the way at a distance of 2.5 hours from Lachen

Package for Gurudongmar Lake

One need to take a package for visiting Gurudongmar Lake and there are several options available with tour operators depending upon the vehicle and hotel, you want to take.

We opted for 2 Nights 3 Days Package which includes a visit to the Gurudongamr Lake and Tumthang Valley and 1night stay each at Lachen and Lachung. The cost for same was around18,000/- which includes Permit cost, accommodation and food. The packages don’t include a trip to Kala Pathar, Chopta Valley and Zero Point. For including these too, you need to pay extra to drivers. Drivers will ask you additional Rs. 2500/- per place. Do negotiate and they will settle down between Rs. 1500 – Rs. 2000/-.

We did this trip with driver Sharon Chettri and his contact details are: 8348815694. He himself too organizes the trip, which costs quite less than the tour operators.

Important Tips

Start your journey from Lachen early because as the day progress, weather near Gurudongmar worsens. Ideally, the army personnel instruct you to spend half an hour there and leave by 10:30 am. We were there for almost 2 hours and still wonder how?

The daylight breaks very early in this region

Being at high altitude there are high chances of AMS. So, as soon as you feel any of the symptoms, do start your journey back to Giagong / Lachen. Oxygen administration service is available at Giagong and ask army jawans for the help

Don’t litter and bring back your waste. Plastic is not allowed beyond Lachen and there are heavy fines for littering

Public convenience facilities are available at Thangu and Giagong

You might see some wildlife on the way as we saw Deer, fox, crane and yaks

Don’t click photographs in the army zones

Do apply lots of sunscreen. My face actually got burnt and tanned

Note: Children below 5 years and adults above 60 years are not allowed to visit Gurudongmar Lake. Also the people with ailments like Heart diseases, high Blood pressure, need to have a doctor recommendation for visit. Please do respect that. It’s for your safety and well-being.

You can check more pictures of Sikkim and Gurudongmar Lake on our Instagram account or by using hashtag #allgudthings.

I almost visited Gurudongmar lake 2 years ago but cancelled because of poor health of parents. Now I know what I missed. I agree with you. It does remind of Ladakh and is yet different. I am surely visiting it. I am also keen on Lachen.

Both Gurudongmar Lake and other areas of North Sikkim are very high on my bucket list. The whole terrain of this region is so different from rest of India. Your pictures are lovely and they are making me want to visit here all the more 🙂

Gurudongmar Lake is indeed a heavenly beauty. Everything surrounding the place is magical and truly hypnotic. It reminds me of my visit to Pangong Lake in Ladakh. I’m glad you’ve shared the information on the permits required. I’ll be heading to Sikkim soon and Gurudongmar Lake will be on top on my must visit places.

What a lovely and epic trip. Gurudongmar lake is really diving and your pictures have captured its essence so beautifully. Of course, the experience must have been something beyond any words or pictures. This is one place we have vowed to go someday after we heard about it on our first trip to Sikkim.

Oh wow.. And here I thought Canada has the best lakes.. India can certainly compete with the Gurudongmar Lake! The 4AM alarm and the high altitude does seem really worth it if you are rewarded with such view! I would be dancing happily if it was me. haha. 😀

About

AllGudThings, a Travel, and Lifestyle blog is the brainchild of a couple travellers (Suruchi & Tashi), who are opposite to each other - in every way but aspire to see the whole world together in one small life. We see every day as a new challenge and fight with the courage to win it.